Monday, August 22 2005 17:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Parliament today (Aug 22, 2005) voiced concern over the death sentence awarded to an Indian national in Pakistan for alleged involvement in bomb blasts there, saying it was a case of mistaken identity and Government should urgently take up the matter with Islamabad.

Raising the issue in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, members said that it was a case of wrong identity as Manjit Singh, the man sentenced to death, was actually Sarabjit Singh from Amritsar.

Avinash Rai Khanna of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ratan Singh Ajnala of (SAD) who were supported by several members prompting the Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to state that seeing the sentiments expressed in the House, Government should take appropriate action took up the issue.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP member S S Ahluwalia who found instant support from members cutting across party lines raised the issue. He said as many as 550 Indians were languishing in Pakistani jails and demanded that efforts should be made by the Government to seek their release.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs SureshPachauri said he would convey the sentiments of the members to External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat wanted the Government to inform the House about the state of Indians in Pakistani jails.